Our school has been teaching students from all over the world since 1994. We are passionate about giving our students the best possible experience of England. Our teachers are committed to helping students improve their English. Our friendly staff are always happy to help make your time in England a success. We have been accredited by The British Council since July 2003. At our most recent inspection, strengths were noted in the areas of staff management, student administration, quality assurance, premises and facilities, learning resources, course design and implementation, care of students, leisure opportunities and care of under 18s. Read more. In 2012 we moved to a larger building with excellent facilities. The school is in the centre of Norwich, less than 5 minutes’ walk from the main shopping area and 2 minutes from most bus stops. Between lessons, students can relax in the Student Area and adults that accompany groups can wait for their students in the comfortable Group Leaders Area.

The English Experience welcomes students from different countries, cultures and backgrounds; all students are 18 years of age or under (young learners). The school is committed to safeguarding and believes that all young learners, without exception, are entitled to protection from harm, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or belief. The school therefore recognises its duty of care to these young learners throughout their stay and has in place policies and procedures to assure their wellbeing. A summary of our Safeguarding Policy can be downloaded here.

Meet our Team:

Carol Syder - Director

“I am the director of The English Experience. I started organising groups of foreign students visiting Norwich for a study holiday course in 1989 and officially founded The English Experience in 1994. The school has gone from strength to strength and we became British Council accredited in 2003. Our market is constantly changing and we are now welcoming students from all over the world, as well as developing our English Camps courses abroad.”

Please contact Carol if you wish to make any general enquiry about The English Experience.

“I am the Personal Assistant to the Director. I started working for The English Experience in 1995 as the Host Family Organiser, and for the last five years I have been involved in student welfare and the running of the social progamme. The best thing about this role is helping students to have an unforgettable experience here, and leave with lasting memories. I enjoy the opportunities my work gives me to meet young learners and leaders from all over the world.”

Please speak to Sylvia for more information or about booking a course.

“I have been working for The English Experience since 2010 as a senior teacher and now as Director of Studies. I love working in the TEFL world as I am able to use a variety of skills and travel too. I am lucky to have the opportunity to meet students from all over the world plus work alongside dynamic and passionate teachers.”

I have recently joined the English Experience after working as a teacher in Germany, Egypt and Cambridge and I’m excited to be part of the team here. I love teaching English because it offers the opportunity to work with people from all over the world and help them enjoy learning a new language and culture.

Jack Griggs-Smith - Senior Teacher BA Creative Writing, CELTA.

“I have been working as an English Teacher for the English Experience since 2009 and worked with a wide variety of ages, levels and nationalities. I am very excited to have the opportunity to become part of the academic team and help to develop the materials and resources that our courses offer.”

“I started working for The English Experience as a teacher on an English Camp in Venice in 2004. Since then, I have worked on and coordinated over thirty camps in Italy! I am now using all the experience I have acquired over the years to organise English Camps in different countries, including Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Slovenia and Taiwan!”

“Teaching English has given me the opportunity to work in many different countries including Sri Lanka, Peru, Costa Rica, and at home in the UK. I first joined The English Experience in 2009 as a Core Teacher before moving to the English Camps.”

“I have loved teaching English and I have worked in Italy, India, Ukraine and Vietnam. I also worked on three fantastic camps with the English Experience and I am very happy to be joining the English Camps team.”

“I have recently joined the English Experience after three years working in a High School. I am very much looking forward to the new experiences and challenges this role will give me but especially working alongside different cultures.”

Karen Dack - Accommodation Officer

“I have been a homestay host for many years and have hosted students from all over the world. I am now Accommodation Officer and On-Call Coordinator and my role is to ensure your stay with your homestay host is an enjoyable experience and that you take home many happy memories.”
Please contact Karen for any hosting information.
Email: [email protected]

Martina Garraffo - Receptionist

First Aider

“I have a great passion for languages and I love working at The English Experience as I have the possibility to know more about other countries and practise the languages that I studied! It’s amazing how many things you can learn from other cultures. It really widens your horizons!”